Content :
- Two billion people don’t have safe drinking water
- U.S.’s heavy duty attack on Iran’s nuke sites
- Widely used fungicide found to be driving C. tropicalis infections
- For first time, India breaks into top 100 in global SDG rankings
- Maritime body sounds alarm on order to retire ‘old’ ships
- Technique to make CAR T-cells in vivo could transform cancer care
- Crushed stone is being spread across farms to capture carbon
Two billion people don’t have safe drinking water
Context & Scope
- 2 billion people globally lack safe drinking water.
- Over 800,000 deaths annually are linked to diseases from unsafe water.
- Access to clean water is essential for public health, dignity, and development.
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)
Key Definitions
- Safe Drinking Water (SDG 6.1 definition, post-2017):
Water must be contamination-free, on-premises, and available when needed. - Improved Water Source (earlier indicator):
Includes protected pipes, springs, boreholes — but not necessarily safe at the point of use.
Current Global Scenario
- 6 billion people have access to safe water.
- 2 billion lack it — but:
- Only 156 million rely on surface water (rivers/lakes).
- The majority use improved sources that are inconveniently located or intermittently available.
Hidden Challenges
- Hours spent collecting water, especially by women and children, affects education and productivity.
- Even improved sources can become contaminated during storage or transit.
- 95% of the world uses improved sources — but not all are safely managed under SDG standards.
Health Implications
- Unsafe water spreads diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, polio, and causes malnutrition.
- In low-income countries, unsafe water contributes to over 5% of deaths.
- Child mortality and undernutrition are closely linked to water insecurity.
Development Challenges
- Scaling access to basic improved sources is easier than ensuring safely managed household water.
- Requires investments in infrastructure, maintenance, and contamination control.
- Real progress under SDG 6.1 (Clean Water and Sanitation) demands universal access to safe water at home.
Conclusion
- Universal access to safe drinking water (SDG 6) is essential for:
- Health outcomes
- Social equity
- Economic development
- Achieving broader Sustainable Development Goals
U.S.’s heavy duty attack on Iran’s nuke sites
Context & Strategic Significance
- On June 21, 2025, the U.S. launched airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
- Operation code-named “Midnight Hammer” aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity.
- Marked a direct U.S. military intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict that began on June 13.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
How the Strike Unfolded
- 7 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flew a 37-hour round mission with multiple in-air refuellings.
- First B-2 dropped two GBU-57 MOP ‘bunker busters’ on the deeply buried Fordow site.
- Deception tactics included decoy aircraft flying westward to mislead radar tracking.
- Overall, 14 MOPs and 75 precision-guided munitions (including submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles) were deployed.
Why B-2 Bombers and MOPs Were Used
- Fordow site is buried under 80–90 meters of rock and reinforced concrete — beyond Israeli capabilities.
- The GBU-57 MOP is designed for deep penetration, capable of reaching up to 200 feet underground.
- B-2 Spirit is the only U.S. aircraft capable of carrying these 30,000 lb bunker-busters.
Capabilities and Challenges of B-2 Bomber
- Only 19 operational B-2s exist; each costs $2+ billion.
- Extremely stealthy: avoids detection via low radar, heat, sound, and visual signatures.
- Highly maintenance-intensive: requires 100 hours of upkeep for each hour flown.
- Needs climate-controlled hangars to preserve stealth coating and tech.
- Holds record for longest air combat missions (e.g., 44-hour Afghan mission in 2001).
Military and Political Implications
- Mission officially not aimed at regime change, but to “neutralize threats” and support Israel’s self-defence.
- The strike has raised questions about:
- The actual extent of damage (especially at Fordow).
- The fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
- May escalate regional tensions and invite retaliatory action from Iran.
Next-Gen Stealth Bomber: B-21 Raider
- U.S. is developing the B-21 Raider, meant to replace aging B-2s.
- Dual-capable, stealth strike bomber with open systems architecture for quick software upgrades.
- Expected unit cost: $550 million; USAF plans to procure 100+ units.
Conclusion
- Operation Midnight Hammer signals a tech-heavy, precision-first U.S. military doctrine.
- Brings into focus the evolving role of stealth aircraft and deep-penetration ordnance.
- Has strategic ramifications for non-proliferation diplomacy, U.S.-Iran relations, and West Asian stability.
Widely used fungicide found to be driving C. tropicalis infections
Context & Concern
- Candida tropicalis is a major fungal pathogen in India and globally, with a mortality rate of 55–60%.
- Increasing cases of drug-resistant C. tropicalis infections are being observed in clinical settings.
- Azole antifungals like fluconazole and voriconazole are becoming less effective.
Relevance : GS 2(Health) ,GS 3(Science)
Key Finding
- A study published in PLoS Biology links azole-resistance in C. tropicalis to the widespread agricultural use of the fungicide tebuconazole.
- Tebuconazole, a triazole fungicide, accumulates in the environment and triggers cross-resistance in clinical fungal strains.
Mechanism of Resistance: Ploidy Plasticity
- Resistant strains showed aneuploidy: abnormal chromosome numbers (haploid to triploid).
- These chromosomal alterations enhance drug resistance but reduce growth rate in drug-free environments.
- Resistant strains showed:
- Duplications (e.g., of TAC1 gene → overproduction of drug-efflux proteins).
- Deletions (e.g., of HMG1 gene → enhanced ergosterol synthesis and drug resistance).
Public Health Implications
- Resistant strains were more virulent in mice, even under antifungal treatment.
- Shows how agricultural misuse of antifungals can create clinical superbugs, threatening human health.
- Highlights interconnectedness of environment, agriculture, and public health (One Health concept).
Serendipitous Discoveries
- First-time discovery of stable haploid strains of C. tropicalis — capable of mating, increasing potential for genetic spread of resistance.
- Two naturally haploid clinical strains were also found in global genome data.
Larger Message
- The study warns against reckless use of triazoles in agriculture, which may drive antifungal resistance in human pathogens.
- It echoes the warning: “Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind” — stressing unintended consequences of unsustainable practices.
For first time, India breaks into top 100 in global SDG rankings
Context : India’s Performance in 2025 SDG Index
- India ranks 99th out of 167 countries in the 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, breaking into the top 100 for the first time.
- India’s SDG Index score: 67, up from its 2024 rank of 109.
- This reflects steady improvement over recent years:
- 2021: 120
- 2022: 121
- 2023: 112
- 2024: 109 → 2025: 99
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ) , GS 3(SDG)
Comparative Regional Rankings
- China: Rank 49 (74.4)
- Bhutan: 74 (70.5)
- Nepal: 85 (68.6)
- Bangladesh: 114 (63.9)
- Pakistan: 140 (57)
- Sri Lanka: 93
- Maldives: 53
About the SDG Index
- Published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
- Measures progress toward the 17 SDGs adopted by UN member states in 2015.
- Score out of 100: full achievement of all SDGs.
- Report lead: Economist Jeffrey Sachs.
Global Trends and Concerns
- Only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be met by 2030.
- Global stagnation attributed to:
- Geopolitical conflicts
- Structural vulnerabilities
- Limited fiscal space in many countries.
Top Performers
- Europe dominates the top ranks:
- Finland, Sweden, Denmark – top 3.
- 19 of top 20 countries are in Europe.
- Even top-ranked nations face sustainability challenges like:
- Climate change
- Biodiversity loss
- Unsustainable consumption patterns
- Requires accelerated action in lagging goals like:
- Climate action (SDG 13)
- Gender equality (SDG 5)
- Quality education (SDG 4)
- Health (SDG 3)
Maritime body sounds alarm on order to retire ‘old’ ships
Context :
- DG Shipping Order 6/2023 mandates the retirement of ships over 20 years old.
- International Maritime Federation (IMF) warns that this could lead to:
- Premature scrapping of 700+ Indian-flagged vessels.
- Loss of 20,000+ seafaring jobs.
- Indirect livelihood impact on over 1 lakh people.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ),GS 3(Infrastructure ,Transport)
Key Concerns Raised by IMF
- Blanket age-based ban lacks flexibility and ignores actual vessel condition.
- Disproportionate penalties imposed on Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) companies add to the burden.
- IMF terms these measures as existential threats to India’s maritime ecosystem.
Global Context & Contradictions
- Global data from over 1.3 lakh vessels and 3.7 lakh safety inspections suggest:
- Older ships (25+ years) often show better safety records than newer ones.
- Attributed to:
- Rigorous maintenance routines.
- Survivorship bias — only robust, well-maintained older ships remain in service.
Implications for India
- Coastal shipping and blue economy ambitions could suffer due to reduced fleet size.
- Threatens India’s goal to expand domestic shipping capacity and reduce dependency on foreign vessels.
- Could disincentivise private investment in Indian-flagged ships.
Policy Suggestions
- Adopt a condition-based approach rather than fixed age limits.
- Ensure proportionality in penalties for RPSL companies.
- Align domestic norms with international maritime practices and safety standards.
Technique to make CAR T-cells in vivo could transform cancer care
What is CAR T-cell therapy?
- A form of immunotherapy where T-cells are genetically modified to detect and destroy cancer cells.
- Conventional method: T-cells are extracted, engineered with CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) in labs, and re-infused.
- Target cancers: Mostly B-cell driven cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma.
Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)
Current Challenges in CAR T-cell Therapy
- Complex & expensive: ₹60–70 lakh per patient in India.
- Requires:
- Personalised lab-based engineering
- Viral vectors for gene delivery
- Chemotherapy for immune suppression
- Risk of severe side effects: cytokine storms, secondary infections, and genetic complications.
New Breakthrough: In Vivo CAR T-cell Engineering
- Published in Science (June 2025): Researchers used mRNA + lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver CAR instructions inside the body.
- Target: CD8+ T-cells using antibody-tagged LNPs.
- No need for:
- Cell extraction
- Lab processing
- Chemotherapy
Key Preclinical Results
- In mice: Tumours regressed after in vivo reprogramming.
- In monkeys:
- B cells depleted in multiple organs
- 85–95% T-cell reprogramming achieved after 2–3 infusions
- Some immune reset observed in autoimmune models.
Advantages of In Vivo Approach
- Temporary modification via mRNA reduces long-term genetic risks.
- No chemotherapy required → safer for elderly/comorbid patients.
- Potential for mass production and standardised dosing, like vaccines or biologic drugs.
- Uses Lipid 829: a biodegradable carrier with lower inflammation risk.
Safety Considerations
- Mild inflammation seen; manageable with premedication.
- One monkey developed severe immune reaction (HLH) → underlines need for careful dosing.
- Human trials essential to verify safety, reproducibility, and long-term effects.
Relevance for India
- High burden of B-cell cancers (e.g., DLBCL, ALL).
- Rising autoimmune cases post-COVID.
- Existing barriers: Few specialised centres, high costs, limited trained personnel.
- This new infusion-based method could democratise access to CAR T therapy in low-resource settings.
Broader Implications
- Could transform oncology and autoimmune treatment models.
- May set precedent for in vivo gene therapy platforms.
- Offers a path to affordable personalised medicine in developing countries.
Crushed stone is being spread across farms to capture carbon
What is Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW)?
- A climate mitigation technique that accelerates natural rock weathering to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- Involves spreading finely crushed quick-weathering rocks (like basalt) on farmlands.
- Used in sugarcane fields (Brazil, Australia), tea plantations (India), and oil palm fields (Malaysia).
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
How It Works
- Weathering: CO₂ reacts with water forming carbonic acid, which breaks down rocks.
- This forms bicarbonates, eventually converting into limestone, locking away CO₂.
- ERW increases:
- Rock surface area (via grinding)
- Contact with air, water, and soil.
Effectiveness: What Studies Show
- A U.S. study: 50 tonnes of basalt per hectare/year could remove up to 10.5 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare over 4 years.
- Field studies in Malaysia & Australia show lower CO₂ removal rates, suggesting earlier overestimation.
- Carbon capture depends on:
- Rock type & particle size
- Soil chemistry
- Temperature & moisture
- Land management practices
Challenges in Measuring CO₂ Removal
- Carbon capture often inferred via cation release, but:
- Cations are produced by all acids, not just carbonic acid.
- Hence, it may overestimate CO₂ uptake.
- Better calibration and metrics are needed to accurately assess ERW impact.
Other Environmental & Agricultural Benefits
- Increases soil alkalinity → improves:
- Crop growth
- Nutrient availability
- Soil formation
- May reduce acid runoff from soil → prevents CO₂ release from rivers/oceans.
Risks & Limitations
- Finely crushed rock may contain heavy metals (e.g., nickel, chromium).
- Health hazards for workers due to dust inhalation → requires protective gear.
- Uncertain scale of actual CO₂ mitigation vs theoretical predictions.
Carbon Credit Potential
- Attracting corporate interest: Tech firms, airlines, fashion brands are investing in ERW for carbon offsetting.
- Could become a part of carbon markets, if standardised and measurable.
